Alder Springs Fire Prompts Expanded Evacuations

The Alder Springs Fire ignited Monday morning near the Alder Springs Trailhead in Jefferson County, Oregon, and has rapidly grown to over 2,500 acres with 0% containment. Strong winds and rugged terrain have forced escalating evacuation orders, with Level 3 'Go Now' alerts for some residents of Crooked River Ranch and Level 2 and 1 warnings for surrounding areas. Firefighting efforts by air and ground crews continue, but access to some areas, such as Carcass Canyon on Whychus Creek, remains difficult. No homes have been lost as of Tuesday, and shelters for displaced people and animals have been set up in Redmond and Terrebonne. Authorities have requested donations for pet and livestock supplies. Officials caution that high fire danger persists across Oregon, highlighting increased wildfire risk early in the season.